A brand new care scheme in Coventry was officially opened on Monday 3 July by the first customer to live within the facility and in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Coventry.

Situated in the Tile Hill area, Accord’s Arden Grove is a specialist housing with care complex for people with dementia. The service has been specifically designed to provide a homely environment where people with dementia can flourish and enjoy life whilst having access to support throughout the day and night.

The first customer at Arden Grove was Eileen Garland and she officially ‘cut the ribbon’ to declare the care complex open. Eileen was joined by The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Tony Skipper as well as other customers and their families, together with colleagues from Accord, Coventry City Council and local stakeholders.

The environment provides the best of both worlds, with welcoming communal spaces on each floor where people can meet, eat together and socialise with the added benefit of individual apartments, enabling privacy and independence.

Elisabeth Buggins, Chair of Accord, and who helped plant a rose bush in honour of Eileen, her favourite flower, said:

“The opening of Arden Grove means a great deal to Accord and all involved, as this is the first brand new care facility built by Accord in seven years, with funding support from the Homes & Communities Agency. We are very proud of the ethos and care model that is right at the heart of the service we provide here at Arden Grove. Accord are leaders in dementia care and this state-of-the art facility is testament to our commitment to providing the very best for people with dementia.”

Arden Grove consists of 33 self-contained one bedroom apartments with kitchens and en-suite, fully-adapted shower rooms. There are communal lounges and communal kitchens on each floor stimulating a sense of place and home.

More than 50 people gathered to celebrate the opening, enjoying afternoon tea in the magnificent atrium of Arden Grove, whilst joining customers and their families for a traditional singalong.

Maxine Espley, Executive Director of Care & Support at Acord, said:

“What a wonderful, warm opening ceremony this has been – our colleagues, contractors and stakeholders coming together with the customers who have made their homes at Arden Grove to celebrate its opening!”

She added:

“At Arden Grove, we have developed a unique care model for every customer that utilises our significant experience and expertise of working with people with dementia. Our teams have undergone comprehensive training and have access to a specialist team who can work with our staff, customers and family members when things change or additional care is needed.”

The adult social care team at Coventry City Council allocate the apartments and care at Arden Grove. For more information or to express an interest please contact Manjit Rai, Community Social Care Service, on 0247 6785377. For more general information, contact Arden Grove manager, Cheryl Jones, on02476 460890 or cheryl.jones@accordgroup.org.uk